Learner motorcyclist escapes injury in Killarney collision

KEEN observations have allowed a Warrnambool learner motorcyclist to escape injury after a collision near Killarney on Sunday.

Police said a learner rider was not at fault but able to avoid direct involvement in an accident because of what he saw - particularly checking vehicles at intersections.

Port Fairy police Senior Constable Chris Carr said an accident happened at the intersection of Princes Highway and Woodbine Road west of Killarney at 7.40am.

He said the learner rider was heading west on his Kawasaki 250cc motorcycle towards Woodbine Road when he saw a Ford sedan heading north which was required to give way at the T-intersection.

"The young learner was switched on and heading to the Portland VicRoads office to get his P plates in full safety gear," he said.

"He didn't like the demeanour of the car and kept eye on it. The sedan stopped for a couple of seconds and the driver then turned right across his path."

Senior Constable Carr said the rider had been decelerating, then broke heavily, laid down his bike and slid on the road beside his vehicle.

"The motorcycle has gone under the front of the car, while the rider slid past it 20 metres. Because he was in full gear he was able to stand up and brush himself off," he said.

"At the time it was not raining but the road surface was wet. The safety observations made by the learner rider saved him from being involved in a serious accident."

The policeman said the learner rider was not at fault but able to avoid direct involvement in the accident because of what he saw - particularly checking vehicles at intersections.

"There's no bad intersections just bad drivers. The sedan was being driven by a Koroit man in his 40s. There was minor damage to the underside of his vehicle but serious damage to the motorbike," Senior Constable Carr said.

The driver of the car is expected to receive an infringement notice for failing to give way.